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Whiteford Taylor & Preston partner named GBMC board chairman

For nearly three decades, Harry Johnson, a partner at one of Maryland’s largest law firms, has been involved with Greater Baltimore Medical Center as legal counsel, patient, and board member. Johnson has now taken the reins as chairman of the GBMC HealthCare, Inc. Board of Directors.

“The challenges facing healthcare in the coming years are ones on which we need to be forward thinking and agile,” said Johnson, a resident of Cockeysville and an attorney with Whiteford, Taylor & Preston. “It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be asked to chair this distinguished board. What I am most looking forward to is working with everyone in the organization in fulfilling our new strategic plan and contributing to decisions that will continue making GBMC a vibrant institution and one that continues to provide high quality medical care to the greater community.”

Johnson cited patient satisfaction, quality of service, philanthropy, developing organizational leadership for the future and volunteer recognition as areas on which he hopes to focus.

Johnson first became involved with GBMC HealthCare as a lawyer handling medical negligence cases in the mid 1980s on behalf of GBMC and physicians. In March of 2000 he joined the GBMC Foundation Board of Directors and the following September was asked to join the GBMC HealthCare Board. He continued as a member of both boards for two years until relinquishing his Foundation position. While a board member, Johnson has been actively involved as a member of the Executive Committee, Compensation Committee, Governance and Board Development Committee and Legislative Committee, and he has served as the board’s secretary and vice chair.

“I believe that all of us who have been given the opportunity to serve the community should do so,” Johnson said. “Serving on this board is one way of trying to give back something to my community.” Johnson and several family members have been patients at GBMC, and their primary care physicians and several specialists also are located at the Towson hospital.

In addition to his volunteer service at GBMC, Johnson is active in the bar and served as president of the Maryland State Bar Association from 2003-04. He also serves on the boards of the Baltimore Community Foundation and the Office of the Public Defender of Maryland. Johnson has consistently received professional recognition as one of Maryland’s Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers and was a recipient of the Leadership in Law award in 2003.

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